Caerphilly Castle, paid admission, open daily
Details
Accessibility:
Disabled visitors can be dropped off by car at the main entrance, Dogs on leads welcome, toilets including A toilet for users with a disability/ limited mobility
For further accessibility information contact venue directly and see https://cadw.gov.wales/caerphilly-castle-access-guide
Brief description:
Moated, 13th-century fortress with imposing gatehouse, fortified dam and a tower bombed by Cromwell.
"Llywelyn ap Gruffudd didn’t build Caerphilly Castle. In fact he twice tried to knock it down before it was finished. But he was certainly its inspiration.
The rise of the powerful Prince of Wales persuaded Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare that he needed a fortress in double-quick time. And it had better be truly formidable.
So from 1268 de Clare constructed the biggest castle in Wales — second only to Windsor in the whole of Britain. Massive walls, towers and gatehouses were combined with sprawling water defences to cover a total of 30 acres.
That’s three times the size of Wales’s modern-day stronghold and home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium.
On the death of Llywelyn this frontline fortress was transformed into a palatial home with a hunting park and northern lake. It passed into the hands of Edward II’s ruthless and greedy favourite Hugh Despenser, who revamped the great hall in ornate style.
By then Caerphilly must have appeared like some mythical castle floating in an enchanted lake. An effect oddly enhanced by the Civil War gunpowder that left the south-east tower at a precarious angle.
In fact Wales’s very own Leaning Tower — even wonkier than that of Pisa — is probably the castle’s best-loved feature"
Address:
Castle St, Caerphilly CF83 1JD
Email:
or via webpage: https://cadw.gov.wales/about/contact-us/?lang=en
Phone:
0300 0256000
Website:
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle
Directions:
From the A470 take Caerphilly road East onto the B4600, follow Castle street South to destination
OS SO 155870
Opening Times:
see https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle
"Cadw has announced details of an investment of £10m in development works at Caerphilly Castle. During this phase of the project, the Great Hall, central courtyard and some ground floor areas of the inner ward will be closed to visitors. Upper floors and wall walks will be open as much as possible, but will require accessing historic spiral stairs.
No visitor toilets will be accessible within the castle but visitors can use toilets at nearby locations (Caerphilly Library and Visitor Centre) which are close to the castle. There may be occasions where additional parts of the castle need to be closed to visitors for safety reasons.
Due to the ongoing redevelopment works, venue hire and trade bookings will be considered but the site may be subject to last minute closures."
Transport:
Bus: A/B/C: Graig-y-Rhacca/ Senghenydd/ Penyrheol- Caerphilly
26: Blackwood circular
50: Bargoed- Newport
Closest train station is Caerphilly (0.8 miles)
For more travel information visit https://www.traveline.cymru or call 0800 464 00 00
Amenities:
"Access guide
Pay and Display car park
Civil ceremony licence
Dogs on leads welcome
Exhibition
Gift shop
Guidebook
Drone policy
No smoking
Portable hearing
Video presentation
School visits
Venue hire
Wi-Fi"
The closest Town is Caerphilly which has public toilets, banks, public transport, shops, eating establishments, public park, post office, hospital, hotels and golf club.
Travel Information
For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info
Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000
Location
Nearest Venues
Natwest Cymru, 11 Cardiff Road, Caerphilly
173 metres*
Post Office, Castle Street, Caerphilly
183 metres*
186 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.